Exit: children can affect female counsel's careers

Poor rates of pay and uncertainty over future earnings are driving barristers out of the profession, a Bar Council exit survey of more than 300 barristers who have recently either left the bar or changed their practising status has revealed.


Almost half of barristers in private practice cited level of income as a factor in their decision to leave chambers, while 55% said lack of certainty over future rates had influenced their decision. Some 41% complained of non-payment of fees, while 37% said they wanted to spend more time with their families.


One-third of women barristers, and 26% of barristers from an ethnic minority background, meanwhile, said discrimination and harassment were reasons for leaving.


Of the 136 respondents who had children while they were in practice, more than one-third said this had had an adverse effect on their career. This figure was higher for private practice (39%) than at the employed bar (33%).


In the employed bar, lack of career development was the biggest reason for leaving, at 33%, followed by a desire to spend more time with the family (31%) and the level of income (30%).


Around one-fifth of all respondents said they experienced a lack of support from colleagues, while one-third of those in private practice said they did not get enough support from clerks. Around one-quarter of both sides of the bar also said they had a problem with inflexible working arrangements.


Bar Council chairman Stephen Hockman told the Gazette: 'We profoundly hope that the Carter review's recommendations will remove uncertainty and [recommend] adequate levels of remuneration, so that able people are not lost to the profession.'


He added: 'Self-employed practice can be carried out in a very flexible way. The Bar Council has introduced maternity leave guidelines and will be piloting a "returner's course" this year to give pro-active help.'


Bar Council equality committee chairwoman Ingrid Simler said low pay rates for public work do not cover the costs of childcare for many barristers.